System to increase vehicle fuel efficiency

Abstract

A duct system is disclosed for increasing the efficiency of a vehicle by decreasing the air resistance of the vehicle. The system utilizes a ducting system with a projection means at the front end and the back end of the vehicle to equalize air pressure and to decrease turbulence in areas surrounding the vehicle. Radiators heat the air within the ducting system aiding the equalizing air flow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A body for a vehicle adapted to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle comprising: a front end,   projection means surrounding said front end and extending outwardly therefrom, said projection means being adapted to isolate a high pressure zone in front of said front end when the vehicle is in forward motion,   a rear end,   projection means surrounding said rear end and extending outwardly therefrom, said projection means being adapted to isolate a low pressure zone behind said rear end when the vehicle is in forward motion,   first duct means connecting the high pressure zone at the front end of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle,   second duct means connecting the high presure zone at the front end of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle whereby in said front zone the pressure is decreased and in said rear zone the pressure is increased thereby reducing the resistance of the air pressure differential and assisting an engine to urge the vehicle forward.   
     
     
       2. The duct system recited in claim 1 further comprising a third duct means extending downwardly from about a midpoint of the high pressure zone, the third duct means directing air from said high pressure zone into said first duct.   
     
     
       3. The vehicle recited in claim 1 further comprising a first radiator, said first duct means extending from the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone through a space containing said engine rearwardly,   said first duct enclosing the first radiator whereby heat from said first radiator heats the air and increases air flow in the first duct means.   
     
     
       4. The vehicle recited in claim 1 further comprising a second radiator, said second duct means extending from the high pressure zone from a point adjacent the front of the roof rearwardly,   said second duct enclosing the second radiator whereby heat from the second radiator heats the air and increases the air flow in the second duct means.   
     
     
       5. The vehicle recited in claim 3 further comprising an exhaust pipe, said exhaust pipe extends through said first duct means and adds heat to said air. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle recited in claim 1 further comprising a radiator, an engine and an exhaust pipe located in said first duct means, and said first duct means has heat insulation attached to the outside thereof to prevent the loss of heat added to said air by said radiator, said exhaust pipe and said engine. 
     
     
       7. The automotive vehicle recited in claim 1 further comprising a radiator and a fan located in said first duct means, and said fan has a variable speed drive to adjust the air flow as required by vehicle speed, thermal energy developed, head or tail wind and terrain. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle recited in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is articulated along its length, flexible ducts extending between the articulated parts of the vehicle and connecting forward and rearward portions of the first duct means and the second duct means.   
     
     
       9. A body for a vehicle adapted to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle comprising: a front end having an upper area and a lower area,   projection means surrounding said front upper area being adapted to isolate an upper high pressure zone in front of said upper area at said front end,   projection means surrounding said front lower area being adapted to isolate a lower high pressure zone in front of said lower area at said front end,   a rear end,   projection means surrounding said rear end being adapted to isolate a low pressure zone behind said rear end,   first duct means connecting the lower high pressure zone at the front of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle,   second duct means connecting the upper high pressure zone at the front end of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle, whereby in said front zone the pressure is decreased and in said rear zone the pressure is increased thereby reducing the resistance of the air pressure differential and assisting the engine to urge the vehicle forward.   
     
     
       10. The vehicle recited in claim 9 wherein an exhaust system has an exhaust line which extends through said first duct means in fluid flow relationship to air flowing over an engine and said exhaust system. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle recited in claim 10 wherein said first duct means is connected to said rear area. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle recited in claim 11 wherein said exhaust line extends through said first duct means from said engine that terminates adjacent the exits at the rear of said first duct means. 
     
     
       13. The automotive vehicle recited in claim 9 further comprising a fan located in said first duct means, and said fan has a variable speed drive to adjust the air flow as required by vehicle speed, thermal energy developed, head or tail wind and terrain. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle recited in claim 9 further comprising a first radiator, said first duct means extending from the lower high pressure zone through a space containing said engine rearwardly,   said first duct means enclosing the first radiator whereby heat from said first radiator heats the air and increases air flow in the first duct means.   
     
     
       15. The vehicle recited in claim 9 further comprising a second radiator, said second duct means means extending from the upper high pressure zone from a point adjacent the front of the roof rearwardly   said second duct means enclosing the second radiator whereby heat from the second radiator heats the air and increases the air flow in the second duct means.   
     
     
       16. A body for a vehicle adapted to increase the fuel efficiency of the vehicle comprising: a front end having an upper area and a lower area,   projection means surrounding said front upper area being adapted to isolate an upper high pressure zone in front of said upper area at said front end,   projection means surrounding said front lower area being adapted to isolate a lower high pressure zone in front of said lower area at said front end,   a rear end having an upper area and a lower area,   projection means surrounding said rear upper area being adapted to isolate a low pressure zone behind said upper area of said rear end,   projection means surrounding said rear lower area being adapted to isolate a low pressure zone beind said lower area of said rear end,   first duct means connecting the lower high pressure zone at the front of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle,   second duct means connecting the upper high pressure zone at the front end of said vehicle in fluid flow relation to the low pressure zone at the rear end of said vehicle, whereby in said front zones the pressure is decreased and in said rear zones the pressure is increased thereby reducing the resistance of the air pressure differential and assisting the engine to urge the vehicle forward.   
     
     
       17. The duct system recited in claim 16 further comprising a third duct means extending downwardly from below said upper area at said front end, the third duct means directing air from said high pressure zone into said first duct means.   
     
     
       18. The vehicle recited in claim 16 further comprising a first radiator, said first duct means extending from said lower high pressure zone through a space containing said engine rearwardly,   said first duct enclosing the first radiator whereby heat from said first radiator heats the air and increases air flow in the first duct means.   
     
     
       19. The vehicle recited in claim 16 further comprising a second radiator, said second duct means extending from said upper high pressure zone from a point adjacent the front of the roof rearwardly,   said second duct enclosing the second radiator whereby heat from the second radiator heats the air and increases the air flow in the second duct means.   
     
     
       20. The vehicle recited in claim 16 further comprising an exhaust system, said exhaust system has an exhaust line which extends through said first duct means in fluid flow relationship to air flowing over said engine and said exhaust system.